" Our midfield "

Gunnarsson is ready for midfield battle
by Terry Phillips, South Wales EchoAug 20 2012Add a comment Recommend


ARON Gunnarsson is relishing the fierce battle for places in Cardiff City’s midfield, writes Terry Phillips.

1/3 Off Top Level of UK Cover - Green Flag
Iceland international ‘Gunnar’ played 90 minutes for the Bluebirds in their 1-0 win against Huddersfield Town, but knows there are no guarantees in City’s midfield.

“That competition for places is essential if we are to press ahead as a team,” said Gunnarsson. “It will certainly be tougher to get into the team this season.”

He linked up with Peter Whittingham and Jordon Mutch through central midfield against Huddersfield with Craig Bellamy and Don Cowie in wide areas.


The arrival of Kim Bo-Kyung, who is due to fly in from South Korea this week, will add to the mix, while Filip Kiss, Craig Conway and Stephen McPhail, on the mend from a hamstring injury, are all pushing to start.

Kim, currently going through the work permit process following his £2m transfer from Japanese club Cerezo Osaka, is able to play anywhere across midfield and, when he is available, manager Malky Mackay will have big decisions to make.

“We have a lot of quality players competing to play and that can only be a good thing if you want to succeed in a division like the Championship,” Gunnarsson told Cardiff City’s official website. “We have some really good options across midfield. Inevitably, there will be a few sad faces at some stages with lads finding themselves on the bench.

“We have a really good, strong bunch of players. More faces can only help us improve.”

Gunnarsson, 22, joined Cardiff from Coventry City last season and has scored five goals in 50 appearances through the middle.

Now he has been joined by another Icelandic international in striker Heidar Helguson and the pair have been described by Mackay as ‘Viking Warriors.’

“It’s good to have a fellow countryman around to speak your native tongue now and then, although we speak English around the club on a daily basis,” says Gunnarsson. “Heidar and I knew each other. We played together for the national team maybe 10 or 11 times. He’s a good professional and we get on well.”



Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z244XQr4oB

This is the strongest midfield we have ever had.

I'd like to see Whitts on left, Gunnar and Mutch in middle and Kimbo on the right with Bellers in a free role that would him difficult to man mark. In this system Bellers and Whitts could swap roles.

If Bellers isnt fit Conway would be an ideal replacement. Cowie, Kiss and McPhail could all fit in if someone is out injured. That leaves Ralls to go out on loan to a league 1/2 team to gain experience/toughen up.

Looking forward to seeing us tomorrow.

This is the strongest midfield we have ever had.

I'd like to see Whitts on left, Gunnar and Mutch in middle and Kimbo on the right with Bellers in a free role that would him difficult to man mark. In this system Bellers and Whitts could swap roles.

If Bellers isnt fit Conway would be an ideal replacement. Cowie, Kiss and McPhail could all fit in if someone is out injured. That leaves Ralls to go out on loan to a league 1/2 team to gain experience/toughen up.

Looking forward to seeing us tomorrow.

100% agree with everything you say - Great minds think alike eh

I don't believe Ralls needs loaning out! He's a good strong squad player!

Much rather we sent Rudy and Jarvis out somewhere....

I also don't think Kim Bo should walk straight into the starting 11. He should be trying to win that off Conway IMO. but it seems Malky prefers playing Cowie out of position?

I don't believe Ralls needs loaning out! He's a good strong squad player!

Much rather we sent Rudy and Jarvis out somewhere....

I also don't think Kim Bo should walk straight into the starting 11. He should be trying to win that off Conway IMO. but it seems Malky prefers playing Cowie out of position?

I agree.

I can understand Cowie being picked when we want to keep it tight and narrow away from home but at home when we're looking for a win I just dont get it. Conway should start.

Gunnarsson is ready for midfield battle
by Terry Phillips, South Wales EchoAug 20 2012Add a comment Recommend


ARON Gunnarsson is relishing the fierce battle for places in Cardiff City’s midfield, writes Terry Phillips.

1/3 Off Top Level of UK Cover - Green Flag
Iceland international ‘Gunnar’ played 90 minutes for the Bluebirds in their 1-0 win against Huddersfield Town, but knows there are no guarantees in City’s midfield.

“That competition for places is essential if we are to press ahead as a team,” said Gunnarsson. “It will certainly be tougher to get into the team this season.”

He linked up with Peter Whittingham and Jordon Mutch through central midfield against Huddersfield with Craig Bellamy and Don Cowie in wide areas.


The arrival of Kim Bo-Kyung, who is due to fly in from South Korea this week, will add to the mix, while Filip Kiss, Craig Conway and Stephen McPhail, on the mend from a hamstring injury, are all pushing to start.

Kim, currently going through the work permit process following his £2m transfer from Japanese club Cerezo Osaka, is able to play anywhere across midfield and, when he is available, manager Malky Mackay will have big decisions to make.

“We have a lot of quality players competing to play and that can only be a good thing if you want to succeed in a division like the Championship,” Gunnarsson told Cardiff City’s official website. “We have some really good options across midfield. Inevitably, there will be a few sad faces at some stages with lads finding themselves on the bench.

“We have a really good, strong bunch of players. More faces can only help us improve.”

Gunnarsson, 22, joined Cardiff from Coventry City last season and has scored five goals in 50 appearances through the middle.

Now he has been joined by another Icelandic international in striker Heidar Helguson and the pair have been described by Mackay as ‘Viking Warriors.’

“It’s good to have a fellow countryman around to speak your native tongue now and then, although we speak English around the club on a daily basis,” says Gunnarsson. “Heidar and I knew each other. We played together for the national team maybe 10 or 11 times. He’s a good professional and we get on well.”



Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z244XQr4oB

Except for 'The Son of Malky'

This is the strongest midfield we have ever had.

I'd like to see Whitts on left, Gunnar and Mutch in middle and Kimbo on the right with Bellers in a free role that would him difficult to man mark. In this system Bellers and Whitts could swap roles.

If Bellers isnt fit Conway would be an ideal replacement. Cowie, Kiss and McPhail could all fit in if someone is out injured. That leaves Ralls to go out on loan to a league 1/2 team to gain experience/toughen up.

Looking forward to seeing us tomorrow.

100% agree with everything you say - Great minds think alike eh

I don't believe Ralls needs loaning out! He's a good strong squad player!

Much rather we sent Rudy and Jarvis out somewhere....

I also don't think Kim Bo should walk straight into the starting 11. He should be trying to win that off Conway IMO. but it seems Malky prefers playing Cowie out of position?

Cowie is one of those players who divides opinion amongst fans. He is one of those unsung players who runs around and works incredibly hard pressing opponents etc....He is not the sort who makes a telling pass but is clearly valuable to Malky's hard work ethic.

big deal he runs about a lot should be the least you demand of your players.


he has no quality

big deal he runs about a lot should be the least you demand of your players.


he has no quality

Running around like a headless chicken is a waste of time but pressing opponents and tackling and being a general pain in the arse to opponents is a good quality to have. Cowie is not a prem league player but he is type of player we need in a promotion winning squad.

big deal he runs about a lot should be the least you demand of your players.


he has no quality

Running around like a headless chicken is a waste of time but pressing opponents and tackling and being a general pain in the arse to opponents is a good quality to have. Cowie is not a prem league player but he is type of player we need in a promotion winning squad.

true, and if he was in the middle of a midfield three, i would be happy for him to be in and out of the side, but for some reason hes playing out wide, and he doesnt contribute anything there

big deal he runs about a lot should be the least you demand of your players.


he has no quality

Running around like a headless chicken is a waste of time but pressing opponents and tackling and being a general pain in the arse to opponents is a good quality to have. Cowie is not a prem league player but he is type of player we need in a promotion winning squad.

true, and if he was in the middle of a midfield three, i would be happy for him to be in and out of the side, but for some reason hes playing out wide, and he doesnt contribute anything there

My sentiments exactly

Yes definitely the strongest midfield we have had and possible one of the best in the division but Turner and Hudson need to stop hoofing the ball over them to the front.

We have too much quality in there to bypass them.

Yes definitely the strongest midfield we have had and possible one of the best in the division but Turner and Hudson need to stop hoofing the ball over them to the front.

We have too much quality in there to bypass them.

YEP.

THIS COULD BE KEY TO OUR SEASON. Use the talented midfielders at our disposal.

Whitts and Co need to demand that ball off them.

I don't believe Ralls needs loaning out! He's a good strong squad player!

Much rather we sent Rudy and Jarvis out somewhere....

I also don't think Kim Bo should walk straight into the starting 11. He should be trying to win that off Conway IMO. but it seems Malky prefers playing Cowie out of position?

Cowie is one of those players who divides opinion amongst fans. He is one of those unsung players who runs around and works incredibly hard pressing opponents etc....He is not the sort who makes a telling pass but is clearly valuable to Malky's hard work ethic.

I rate Cowie but not on the right-wing. That berth should go to a specialist like Coway.

major problem we have about midfield is the oposition at home!! 11 men behind ball is nigh impossible to go thru! but some how malkie needs to work out a salution,as it as its going to be bog standard tactics for most teams at ccs, just like last season, frustrating times ahead i feel.